A mobile terminal having a terminal body, an audio output module located in the terminal body, a power supply unit located in the terminal body, an earphone port formed on one side of the terminal body and a controller configured to, when a plug of earphone having a cable-type battery is inserted into the earphone port while performing an audio output function, to select an audio output path for at least one of the audio output module or the earphone inserted in the earphone port to output audio sound according to the audio output function and to charge the power supply unit by the cable-type battery is provided. Accordingly, an audio sound can be output through an audio output path selected according to the intention of the user who has inserted the earphone having the cable-type battery.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a terminal body; a display unit; an audio output module located in the terminal body; a power supply unit located in the terminal body; an earphone port formed on one side of the terminal body; and a controller configured to: detect insertion of a plug of an earphone having a cable-type battery into the earphone port, detect the power supply unit being charged by the cable-type battery of the earphone, receive an input for performing an audio output function while the charging the power supply unit is maintained, display a menu on the display unit for selecting at least one of the audio output module or the earphone inserted in the earphone port as an audio output path to output audio sound according to the audio output function, and output the audio sound through the earphone while the power supply unit is charged by the cable-type battery of the earphone, in response to selecting the earphone as the audio output path, wherein the controller comprises a main processor configured to operate while the mobile terminal is turned on and a sub-processor configured to operate from stand-by power while the mobile terminal is turned off, and wherein, when insertion of the plug of the earphone into the earphone port is detected while the mobile terminal is turned off, the sub-processor activates only the audio output function for playing multi-media data.
A mobile phone has a body, screen, speaker, battery, and headphone jack. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. While charging, if the user tries to play audio, a menu appears on the screen asking whether to output sound through the phone's speaker or the connected headphones. If the user selects the headphones, the audio plays through them while the phone's battery charges from the headphone battery. The phone contains a main processor (normal operation) and a sub-processor (standby). When headphones are plugged in while the phone is off, the sub-processor turns on ONLY the audio playback function to play media.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the audio output function comprises at least one of playing a music file, receiving an incoming call, and generating an alarm.
The mobile phone from the previous description outputs audio during music playback, incoming phone calls, or alarms. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. While charging, if the user initiates music playback, receives a call, or triggers an alarm, a menu appears on the screen asking whether to output sound through the phone's speaker or the connected headphones. If the user selects the headphones, the audio plays through them while the phone's battery charges from the headphone battery.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the audio output module comprises a speaker, and wherein the controller is configured to control the audio output module to output the audio sound through the speaker while the earphone plug is inserted into the earphone port.
The mobile phone from the first description includes a speaker as the audio output module. Even when headphones with a built-in battery are plugged into the phone and charging it, the phone can still play audio through its own speaker. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. While charging, if the user tries to play audio, a menu appears on the screen asking whether to output sound through the phone's speaker or the connected headphones, and the phone can still use its internal speaker even with headphones connected.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to display on the display unit information indicating a last used audio output path before outputting the audio sound through the last used audio output path as the selected audio path.
The mobile phone from the first description remembers the last audio output path selected (either the phone's speaker or the connected headphones). The next time audio is played with the headphones plugged in, the phone displays information (e.g., a message or icon) indicating the previously selected output, and automatically uses that output path again. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. While charging, if the user tries to play audio, the phone recalls and displays the last audio path used.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 4 , wherein the information comprises a graphic object associated with the last used audio path.
The mobile phone remembers the last audio output path selected and displays a visual icon associated with that path. The next time audio is played with the headphones plugged in, the phone displays the specific icon (e.g., headphone icon or speaker icon) representing the last selected output, reinforcing user awareness and automatically using that output path again. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. While charging, if the user tries to play audio, the phone recalls and displays the visual representation of the last audio path used.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the earphone includes at least one sensor configured to output a sensing signal indicating whether the earphone is being worn by a user, and wherein the controller is configured to control the earphone to output the audio sound when the control receives the sensing signal indicating that the earphone is being worn by the user.
The headphones with a built-in battery have a sensor that detects if they are being worn by the user. The mobile phone only outputs audio through the headphones if the sensor indicates that they are being worn. This prevents audio from playing loudly if the headphones are accidentally plugged in but not in use. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. The phone monitors the headphone's proximity sensor to decide whether to play audio.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , further comprising a short range communication module, wherein, when the mobile terminal is paired with a short range communication earphone through the short range communication module, the controller is configured to control the short range communication module to output the audio sound through the short range communication earphone.
The mobile phone also includes a Bluetooth module. If the phone is connected to Bluetooth headphones, it will output the audio through the Bluetooth headphones instead of the wired headphones with the cable-type battery, even if they are plugged in. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. However, if paired with Bluetooth headphones, the audio is routed through Bluetooth.
8. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the sub-processor causes only the audio output function for playing the multi-media data to be performed by using the power from the cable-type battery of the earphone.
When the mobile phone is turned off and headphones with a cable-type battery are plugged in, the phone uses only the battery power from the headphones to operate the audio playback function. The sub-processor avoids using the phone's internal battery and conserves energy. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. While the phone is off, the headphone battery exclusively powers audio playback.
9. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the display unit includes an indicator area in which a first graphic object is displayed to show remaining battery life of the power supply unit, and wherein, when the plug of the earphone is inserted into the earphone port, the controller is configured to display the amount of battery life of the cable-type battery of the earphone separately from the remaining battery life of the power supply unit.
The mobile phone screen displays a battery indicator for the phone's internal battery. When headphones with a cable-type battery are plugged in, a separate indicator appears on the screen to show the battery level of the headphones. The user can now see the remaining battery life of both the phone and the headphones independently. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. Both phone and headphone battery levels are displayed.
10. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to display the amount of battery life of the cable-type battery of the earphone using a second graphic object separately from the first graphic object.
The mobile phone screen displays a battery indicator icon for the phone's internal battery. When headphones with a cable-type battery are plugged in, a separate battery indicator icon appears to represent the battery level of the headphones. This clear visual separation allows the user to quickly assess the battery status of each device. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. Distinct graphic objects display both battery levels.
11. The mobile terminal of claim 10 , wherein, when a gesture input with respect to the first and second graphic objects is received, the controller is configured to control a charging direction in response to the gesture input so that the power supply unit can charge the cable-type battery or the cable-type battery can charge the power supply unit.
The mobile phone displays battery indicator icons for both the phone's internal battery and the headphone battery. If the user swipes or touches these icons in a certain way, the phone will switch the charging direction. This allows the user to choose whether to charge the headphones from the phone or charge the phone from the headphones through a gesture input on the screen. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. A gesture on the battery icons controls the charging direction.
12. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , further comprising an external charging port formed on one side of the body and connectable to a charging cable, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the remaining battery life of the cable-type battery and, when the remaining battery life of the cable-type battery goes below a predetermined value and the mobile terminal is connected to the charging cable, the controller is configured to control the power supply unit so that the power supply unit can charge the cable-type battery.
The mobile phone has a standard charging port for plugging in a regular charger. The phone monitors the battery level of the headphones with a cable-type battery. If the headphone battery is low AND the phone is plugged into a charger, the phone will automatically charge the headphone battery using power from the charger. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. The phone will start charging the headphones when the battery is low and a standard charger is connected.
13. The mobile terminal of claim 12 , wherein, when the charging cable is disconnected, the controller is configured to display on the display unit a graphic object representing the remaining battery life of the cable-type battery.
The mobile phone will display an icon showing the remaining battery of the headphone. When headphones with a cable-type battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. Once the charging cable is unplugged, a graphic object (icon) shows the user how much power remains on the headphone battery. This helps the user know the charge level.
14. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the plug of the earphone comprises a charging port for charging the power supply unit, and wherein, when insertion of the plug of the earphone into the earphone port is detected, the controller is configured to control the power supply unit so that the cable-type battery can charge the power supply unit through the charging port.
The headphone plug includes a charging port. When the user plugs in the headphones, the headphone battery can automatically charge the phone's battery through this charging port on the headphone plug. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. Then phone starts charging from the headphone's cable-type battery, through the headphone plug.
15. The mobile terminal of claim 14 , wherein, when there is a partial insertion of the plug into the earphone port such that only the charging port is exposed to the outside of the earphone port, the controller is configured to select the earphone to output the audio sound.
The headphone plug contains a charging port. If the user only partially inserts the plug, leaving the charging port accessible, the phone assumes the user wants to listen to audio through the headphones. This allows charging without fully inserting the plug and potentially damaging it. When headphones with a built-in battery are plugged in, the phone detects the headphone insertion and charging. Even when only partially inserted, audio will play through headphones.
16. A method for controlling a mobile terminal, the method comprising: detecting, via a controller, insertion of a plug of an earphone with a cable-type battery into an earphone port formed on one side of a body of the mobile terminal; detecting, via the controller, the power supply unit being charged by the cable-type battery of the earphone; receiving, via the controller, an input for performing an audio output function while a power supply unit of the mobile terminal is charged through the cable-type battery; displaying a menu on a display unit for selecting either of an audio output module of the mobile terminal or the earphone inserted in the earphone port as an audio output path to output audio sound according to the audio output function; outputting the audio sound through the earphone while the power supply unit is charged by the cable-type battery of the earphone in response to selecting the earphone as the audio output path; operating the mobile terminal, via a main processor of the controller, while the mobile terminal is turned on; operating the mobile terminal, via a sub-processor of the controller, from stand-by power while the mobile terminal is turned off; and activating, via the sub-processor, only the audio output function for playing multi-media data when insertion of the plug of the earphone into the earphone port is detected while the mobile terminal is turned off.
A mobile phone detects when headphones with a cable-type battery are plugged into the headphone jack. The phone detects the headphone's battery is charging the phone's battery. If the user initiates audio playback while charging, a menu appears asking whether to output sound through the phone's speaker or the headphones. If the user selects the headphones, the audio plays through them while the phone's battery charges from the headphone's battery. The phone contains a main processor (normal operation) and a sub-processor (standby). When headphones are plugged in while the phone is off, the sub-processor turns on ONLY the audio playback function to play media.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 30, 2014
July 4, 2017
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